Well, I was planning on writing about something totally different tonight… funny how subjects can change from hour to hour! :)

I met one of my really good friends this evening before my final English class. The class is a group of oral surgeons and they all work at a university hospital. My friend had recently made a website for their department and wanted to go with me tonight to take some homemade Valentine’s sweets for them.

(By the way, tomorrow I’ll explain about how Valentine’s Day is here in Japan. Stay tuned!)

Anyway, my friend thought it would be fun to add wasabi to one of the sweets and see who would be the “winner.” (Wasabi is a VERY hot mustard-like paste that you sometimes find on sushi.)

There were four of us tonight and there were a total of 18 sweet potato tarts. The three of them took one each as I took a picture of the sweets and the doctors… all three ate the ones they had chosen, half holding their breath and chewing, waiting to see if the flavor in their mouths was going to change. Their expressions turned to ones of relief.

So, it was my turn. There were still 15 to choose from. Looking from one to the next, I selected one that appeared rather normal. (Then again, they ALL looked “normal”!! ha ha ha)

As the other three focused intently, I brought the tart to my mouth and took a sniff… uh, oh… it was too late though and I took a bite. Chewing, chewing, chewing… all I could taste was sweet potato and the sweetness of the tart cup.

Then it happened! That familiar sting in the nasal passage! I let out an “Ugh!” and the others started laughing. Instead of putting the rest down, I ate it… guess I didn’t want to be labeled a loser. :)

So, that was my Russian Roulette-kind-of-day! My students said that must mean that I’m going to have a lucky year.